Viscoelastic applicator for IOL insertion apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system for preparing an intraocular lens (IOL) injector for receipt of an IOL. A manifold mates with an injector cartridge and easily distributes a lubricating agent to a load chamber of the cartridge. The IOL is then transferred into the load chamber. The cartridge may be rotatably coupled to the handpiece, and then converted from a preparation and load position to a delivery position. The manifold may remain external to the load chamber or fit within the load chamber and include a handle that remains outside. One or more internal channels in the manifold lead from one or more inlet ports to surfaces in the load chamber than contact the IOL.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to,U.S. application Ser. No. 11/779,217 filed on Jul. 17, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,398,651, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forthherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods forpreparing an injector for delivering an intraocular lens (IOL) into aneye. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods forapplying a lubricating agent to an IOL injector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) may be implanted in the eye of a subject toreplace the natural crystalline lens or to otherwise modify the visionof an eye containing either the natural lens or another IOL. IOLscommonly include an optic and one or more flexible fixation members orhaptics extending from the optic to secure and center the optic withinthe eye. When the IOL replaces the natural lens, the natural lens mustfirst be removed, for instance, using a phacoemulsification system. TheIOL is then generally implanted using an insertion apparatus or devicethat rolls, folds, or otherwise configures the lens for delivery througha small incision in the eye in a way that reduces trauma and expeditespost-surgery healing.

Injectors for delivering IOLs into the eye typically employ a handpieceand a cartridge having a hollow insertion tube or cannula through whichthe folded IOL is passed using a pushrod. The cartridges are made ofdisposable materials, such as plastics, and remain in a sterile packageuntil ready for coupling with the handpiece. Some injectors do withoutthe cartridge and are reusable. The pushrod and insertion tube may bedesigned to advantageously provide the surgeon precise control of theIOL as it is placed inside the eye, for example as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,093,193, herein incorporated by reference. The IOL is storedseparately and transferred to a load chamber in the injector orcartridge just prior to delivery. Typically, the load chamber is firstpartially filled with a liquid or gel, for example, a viscoelasticmedium or “Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Device” (OVD). The lubricatingviscoelastic facilitates passage of the IOL through the injector, and insome cases the tip of the pushrod does not directly contact the IOL, butinstead engages the intermediate viscoelastic so as to distributehydraulic pressure across the IOL and cause it to proceed through theinjector and into the eye.

One viscoelastic substance used is sodium hyaluronate sold under thetrade name Healon®, though Balanced Salt Solutions (BSS) and otherlubricating agents are used. In the context of the present invention, a“lubricating agent” encompasses all of these choices. These substancesare sold preloaded in a syringe, typically provided with a thin cannulatip. The process of applying the viscoelastic to the relatively tinyinner surfaces of the injector in the operating room just prior tosurgery can be difficult and time-consuming.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved way to apply thelubricating agent to an injector during an ocular surgery that is easyand quick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary IOL delivery system includes a fluid manifold adapted tomate with the IOL injector or cartridge, the manifold having at leastone inlet port leading to internal channels such that a lubricatingagent injected into the inlet port is guided by the internal channelsinto the injector load chamber.

One embodiment of the invention is a system for delivering anintraocular lens (IOL) into the eye of a subject, comprising an IOLinjector defining an insertion tube and a load chamber for receiving anIOL. The injector also includes a pushrod movable through the loadchamber for urging the IOL from the load chamber and through theinsertion tube in a delivery procedure. A fluid manifold is formed tomate with the injector and has at least one inlet port that when matedwith the injector leads to the load chamber. Lubricating agent injectedinto the inlet port is automatically guided onto surfaces within theload chamber that will contact the IOL.

The fluid manifold may remain external to the load chamber or fit withinthe load chamber when mated with the injector. If internal, the fluidmanifold includes a handle that remains external to the injector whenthe manifold resides in the load chamber. The load chamber desirably hasat least two spaced surfaces that contact the IOL, and the fluidmanifold includes at least two separate inlet ports each leading to adifferent spaced surface. In one version, the fluid manifold includes atleast two internal channels and the two inlet ports each lead to aseparate internal channel. Alternatively, the load chamber has at leasttwo spaced surfaces that contact the IOL, and the fluid manifoldincludes at least two internal channels and only one inlet port thatcommunicates with the two internal channels.

The injector preferably includes a handpiece coupled to a cartridgedefining the load chamber, and the cartridge is movable relative to thehandpiece between a first position for loading the intraocular lens anda second position for delivering the intraocular lens into the subject'seye. For instance, a transfer interface of the cartridge open to theload chamber faces away from the handpiece in the first position, andthe insertion tube faces away from the handpiece in the second position,the fluid manifold being formed to mate against the transfer interfaceof the cartridge in the first position. In one embodiment the cartridgerotates 180° about the handpiece between the first and second positions.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for preparing an intraocularlens (IOL) injector for receiving an IOL. The method includes providingan IOL injector defining an insertion tube open to a load chamber forreceiving an IOL, and a fluid manifold formed to mate with the injectorand having at least one inlet port. The fluid manifold mates with thecartridge, and a lubricating agent is injected into the inlet port sothat the manifold automatically guides the lubricating agent ontosurfaces within the load chamber that will contact the IOL.

The injector may have a handpiece coupled to a cartridge defining theload chamber, and the method may further including placing the cartridgein a first position relative to the handpiece for mating with the fluidmanifold, and then moving the cartridge into a second position relativeto the handpiece after disengaging the fluid manifold for delivering theIOL into a subject's eye. Desirably, the insertion tube is defined onthe cartridge and the cartridge rotates 180° about the handpiece betweenthe first and second positions, wherein a transfer interface of thecartridge faces away from the handpiece in the first position and theinsertion tube faces away from handpiece in the second position, thefluid manifold being formed to mate against the transfer interface ofthe cartridge in the first position. Or, the fluid manifold is formed toinsert into the load chamber through the transfer interface of thecartridge in the first position. The fluid manifold may remain externalto the load chamber or fit within the load chamber when mated with theinjector. The fluid manifold and injector preferably includecomplementary structural features that positively engage with audible ortactile feedback when the manifold and injector mate to indicate fullengagement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Such embodiments, which are for illustrativepurposes only, depict the novel and non-obvious aspects of theinvention. The drawings include the following figures, with likenumerals generally indicating like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary insertion systemaccording to an embodiment of the invention showing an injector, aviscoelastic applicator, and a fluid manifold therebetween;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled insertion system of FIG.1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the fluid manifold;

FIGS. 5-8 are elevational and sectional views of the fluid manifold;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views through the assembled insertionsystem of FIG. 1 showing the application of a lubricating agent usingthe fluid manifold;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are top and end views of an IOL injector cartridge withan alternative internal fluid manifold therein for guiding lubricatingagent to appropriate IOL-contacting surfaces;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are bottom and top halves, respectively, of oneversion of the internal fluid manifold of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is an assembled view of the manifold halves of FIGS. 13A and13B;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are bottom and top halves, respectively, of anotherversion of the internal fluid manifold of FIGS. 11 and 12; and

FIG. 16 is an assembled view of the manifold halves of FIGS. 15A and15B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention facilitates the process of delivering anintraocular lens (IOL) into a patient's eye using an injector. The IOLis typically implanted using an injector that rolls, folds, or otherwiseconfigures the lens for delivery through a small incision in the eye ina way that reduces trauma and expedites post-surgery healing. The IOL isstored separately and transferred to an injector or cartridge just priorto delivery. The injector or injector/cartridge is used in a manner likea hypodermic needle with the IOL being injected into the eye through adelivery tube. The injector is first partially filled with a liquid orgel lubricating agent, for example a viscoelastic material. The presentinvention provides a guide or fluid manifold that couples to theinjector and facilitates introduction of a lubricating agent into a loadchamber of the injector or cartridge. Desirably, the manifold ispackaged with the cartridge or separately, and the IOL in its case isalso packaged separately. These two components plus the reusableinjector and lubricating agent are all that is required for theprocedure, other than the standard operating room implements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective exploded and assembled views,respectively, of an insertion system 20 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The insertion system 20 comprises an injector 22, a fluidguide or manifold 24, and a viscoelastic applicator 26. The exemplaryinjector 22 includes a handpiece 28 coupled to a distal nosepiece orcartridge 30, seen in an IOL transfer mode. In this mode, the cartridge30 is in a position to receive an IOL (not shown) through a transferinterface 32. The cartridge 30 defines a cavity or load chamber 33within for receiving the IOL, and also has an insertion tube 34extending in the opposite direction than the transfer interface 32. Acontinuous path exists through the length of the cartridge 30 from thetransfer interface 32, load chamber, and insertion tube 34.

In one embodiment, disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0184181,the injector 22 engages a case that contains an IOL, whereupon the IOLis automatically transferred to the cartridge 30. Alternatively, the IOLcould be transferred manually into the cartridge 30. Prior to transferof the IOL into the cartridge 30, however, a lubricating agent will beintroduced into the cartridge, and more particularly into a load chambertherein, as will be explained below.

One exemplary viscoelastic applicator 26 is sold as the Healon®viscoelastic applicator by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO), Inc. of SantaAna, Calif. The applicator 26 includes a syringe-like body 35 on thedistal end of which is connected a thin cannula 36. The viscous mediumwithin the body 35 may be expelled through the cannula 36, enabling goodcontrol of the precise location of delivery. However, IOL cartridges arequite small and the surfaces that require lubrication intricate, whichmakes the task of priming the cartridge quite intensive. Again,lubricating agents other than viscoelastics are utilized, includingBalanced Salt Solutions (BSS), and in the context of the presentinvention the viscoelastic applicator 26 is representative oflubricating agent applicators in general.

It should be understood that the present invention contemplates amanifold that serves as an intermediary between the injector orcartridge and a lubricating agent applicator to facilitate and speed upthe process of applying the lubricating agent to the load chamber. Inthis respect, various kinds of injectors and cartridges are known, andmanifolds that adapt to those designs are included in the scope of theinvention. For example, a common injector cartridge includes a hingedpolymer structure in which the IOL is placed, originally termed aBartell-style cartridge after its inventor. Folding the structure causesthe IOL to fold as well, much like a taco. Such a system is primed firstwith the lubricating agent, such as using the applicator 26 shown inFIG. 1. Even though the Bartell-style cartridges are opened wide, thesurfaces needing a lubricating agent are many and tiny, so the taskremains somewhat labor-intensive. A fluid manifold such as that shownherein may be useful for such cartridges to speed up the deliverypreparation process.

Likewise, other IOL delivery systems would benefit from a fluid manifoldas described herein, though the structural features of such manifoldswould be different than the illustrated manifold 24 herein. ExemplaryIOL delivery systems on the market that could use a manifold inaccordance with the present invention include the AMO Emerald and SilverSeries Unfolders, the Monarch line of Delivery Systems from AlconLaboratories, Inc. of Fort Worth, Tex., the Mport, Microsert, Passportand SofPort model injectors from Bausch & Lomb (B&L) of Rochester, N.Y.,and the MicroSTAAR injectors from STAAR Surgical Company of Monrovia,Calif. It is also important to note again that some of these injectorsemploy a handpiece and a cartridge while others do without thecartridge, and the manifold mates with either to guide a lubricatingagent to the load chamber. Furthermore, various injectors are preloadedwherein the IOL starts out in the load chamber. The present inventionalso applies to such injectors. Any manifold for use with these variousinsertion systems will provide at least one inlet port that when matedwith the injector leads to the load chamber such that a lubricatingagent injected into the inlet port is guided into appropriate surfacesof the load chamber. In this sense, the manifold may be viewed as aguide of sorts for the delivery tips of various lubricating agentapplicators.

The illustrated applicator 26 has a relatively long and thin cannula 36which is guided by the manifold 24 to the proper locations within thecartridge load chamber. Other applicators, such as the B&L OcuCoat®Viscoelastic, may have a somewhat blunter tip which a manifold of thepresent invention may be configured to receive. Likewise, a manifoldadapted to mate with BSS applicators would be useful. In short, thereare numerous structural possibilities for the fluid manifolds of thepresent invention and the scope of the appended claims therefore shouldnot be limited to the illustrated embodiment.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the injector handpiece 28 has aproximal end and a distal end to which the cartridge 30 couples. Thehandpiece 28 includes a generally tubular barrel 40 having a pair ofbifurcated brackets 42 on a distal end thereof for retaining thecartridge 30. A plunger 44 translates longitudinally within the barrel40. The plunger 44 comprises a shaft-like member with a drive cap 46fixed on a proximal end thereof, and a distal end that engages a pushrod(not shown). Although not shown, the pushrod terminates at its distalend in a bifurcated tip that contacts and urges the IOL from theinjector during the implant procedure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 30 moves relative to thehandpiece from the IOL transfer mode shown in FIG. 1 to a delivery mode,such as by rotating 180° about the brackets 42. The IOL transfer modedefines a first position of the cartridge 30 for loading the IOL inwhich the transfer interface 32 faces away from the handpiece 28.Although not shown, the delivery mode defines a second position fordelivering the IOL into the subject's eye wherein the insertion tube 34faces away from the handpiece 28 in the second position. Further detailsof this arrangement are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication2006/0184181, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

In the illustrated configuration of injector 22, the lubricating agentis applied when the cartridge 30 is in its first position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The exemplary injector 22 is desirably packaged with thecartridge 30 in the first position. The fluid manifold 24 may bepackaged on the end of the injector 22 as shown in FIG. 2, or as aseparate item.

The transfer interface 32 presents an opening to the load chamber 33within the cartridge 30. In this embodiment, the load chamber 33commences at the transfer interface 32 with a pair of opposedlongitudinal grooves for receiving side edges of the optic of the IOL.The fluid manifold 24 is designed to mate closely with the transferinterface 32 and includes a pair of conically recessed inlet ports 50formed in an outer face 52 leading to internal channels (not shown)within the manifold. The internal channels are shaped and positionedsuch that a lubricating agent injected into the inlet ports 50 is guidedthereby into the appropriate spaces within the load chamber 33. Morespecifically, the internal channels of the manifold 24 guide thelubricating agent into the two opposed grooves of the load chamber.

Two inlet ports 50 are shown which lead to two internal channels toseparately lubricate the longitudinal grooves. However, it is possibleto provide just one inlet port which diverges within the manifold 24toward the separate grooves. FIG. 2 illustrates usage of theviscoelastic applicator 26 to lubricate one of the grooves within theload chamber 33 through one of the inlet ports 50. More details withregard to the internal channels of the fluid manifold 24 will beprovided below.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of a fluid manifold 24 forengagement with the exemplary injector 22. The upper and lowerperspective views are looking at the manifold 24 from the end oppositethe outer face 52 (FIG. 1), which is the end that mates with theinjector 22. A three-sided peripheral wall 54 longitudinally projectsaway from the outer face 52 in an upside down U-shape. A lower wall 56also projects away from the end wall, though not as far as theperipheral wall 54, and is interrupted by a lower rail 58. Theperipheral wall 54 and lower wall 56 together define a generallyrectilinear cavity 60 within the manifold 24 that receives and mateswith the cartridge 30 of the injector 22.

With reference also to FIGS. 5-8, the manifold 24 defines structurewithin the cavity 60 that aligns features therein with the transferinterface 32 and load chamber 33 of the cartridge 30. FIG. 5 shows anelevation looking directly at the outer face 52, and the height andspacing of the two conically recessed inlet ports 50. FIG. 7 is anopposite elevation looking directly into the cavity 60 with the inletports 50 seen as mere pinholes. As will be seen, when the manifold 24mates with the cartridge 30, the inlet ports 50 within the cavity 60align directly with the opposed longitudinal grooves of the load chamber33.

FIGS. 3-4 and 7 best show a central wall projecting longitudinally fromthe outer face 52 into the cavity 60. The central wall is formed partlyby the lower rail 58, and also by an upper rail 62 and a middle rail 64.The lower and upper rails 58, 62 extend as far as the peripheral wall54, and the middle rail 64 is recessed therefrom, as also seen incross-section in FIG. 8. The resulting structure receives the cartridge30 so that the transfer interface 32 extends fully into the cavity 60and against the inside of the outer face 52.

Now with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, mating engagement between theinserter 22 and manifold 24 is shown. As mentioned, the cavity 60receives the cartridge 30 such that the transfer interface 32 contactsthe outer face 52. FIG. 9 shows one of the longitudinal grooves 70 ofthe load chamber 33 aligned with the lower inlet port 50, while the thincannula 36 of the viscoelastic applicator 26 projects through the upperinlet port and is shown after having deposited a mass of lubricatingagent. Although not further detailed herein, the two longitudinalgrooves 70 gradually converge to the right and eventually transitioninto a tubular delivery channel (not shown) within the insertion tube 34(FIG. 1). The delivery channel has a distal linear section adjacent itstip and tapers gradually wider toward the load chamber 33. As with otherconventional injector cartridges, the tapered delivery channelcompresses and forms the IOL into an elongated and/or foldedconfiguration suitable for delivery into the eye. The operator desirablyapplies lubricating agent along the grooves 70 and at least partway intothe tubular delivery channel.

The two longitudinal grooves 70 are separated at the transfer interface32 and for a distance until joined at a bridge 72. The bridge 72 in thisembodiment forms a floor of the load chamber 33, and continues towardthe tubular delivery channel. The split nature of the longitudinalgrooves 70 is particular to the illustrated cartridge 30, which isdesigned to engage a case that holds an IOL and receive the IOLtherefrom in an automatic process without forceps. In this regard, theinner features of the manifold 24 are specifically designed toaccommodate the split grooves 70 and bridge 72. Namely, the lower andupper rails 58, 62 extend past the bridge 72 while the middle rail 64contacts the bridge as shown. The combined central wall thereforesegregates opposite sides of the load chamber 33 for a distance towardthe tubular delivery channel, thus ensuring that lubricating agentinjected into one of the inlet ports 50 is applied to the correspondingside of the load chamber.

The filling process is seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Either the fluid manifold24 arrives mated with the injector 22, or the physician positions itagainst transfer interface 32, as seen in FIG. 2. The manifold 24presents the conically-shaped inlet ports 50 into which thetechnician/physician applies a lubricating agent to the load chamber 33of the cartridge 30.

First the operator injects lubricating agent into one side of the loadchamber 33 as in FIG. 9, and then into the other side as in FIG. 10.Care must be taken to ration about half of the supply of lubricatingagent to each side. The conical recesses on the exterior of the inletports 50 facilitate entry of the thin cannula 36 as the inlet ports aresized just slightly greater than the cannula. The inlet ports 50 opendirectly into each side of the load chamber 33, and thus the cannula 36can easily reach into and apply lubrication along the surfaces thatcontact the IOL. The process is greatly simplified from the previousdifficult task of manually applying the lubricating agent using asyringe and thin cannula to “paint” the relatively tiny inner surfacesof the cartridge.

FIGS. 9 and 10 also illustrate the distal end of the bifurcated brackets42 of the handpiece 28 that hold the cartridge 30. As seen best in FIGS.3 and 4, the peripheral wall 54 includes outwardly stepped wings 80 oneither side that snap around the brackets 42. Specifically, each bracket42 features a small bump 82 (FIG. 1) on its exterior that snaps into alike sized hole 84 in the respective wing 80. The brackets 42 extend allthe way to the inside end of the wings 80, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Ina general sense, the injector 22 and manifold 24 desirably includecomplementary structural features that positively engage when they mateto indicate full engagement, such as the pin and hole embodiment thatproduces an audible and tactile click as feedback.

The preceding fluid manifold 24 receives the cartridge 30 and matesagainst the transfer interface 32 thereon. No part of the manifold 24extends past the transfer interface 32 into the load chamber 33,although such an extension is not incompatible with the purpose of themanifold. The manifold 24 is thus designed to remain external to theload chamber 33 when fully mated with the injector 22.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, FIGS. 11-16 illustrateseveral variations of a lubricating agent manifold that fits within theload chamber. FIGS. 11 and 12 show the cartridge 30 from the top and endviews with an exemplary internal manifold 100 therein. As seen from thetop, the manifold 100 fits partway into the load chamber 33 with only ahandle 102 remaining on the outside. FIG. 12 shows the size of themanifold 100 relative to the load chamber 33. Using the handle 102, theoperator places the manifold 100 into the load chamber and applies alubricating agent to an inlet port 104. As will be described in severalembodiments below, internal channels in the manifold 100 guide thelubricating agent from the single inlet port 104 to the multiplesurfaces within the cartridge 30 that will subsequently contact the IOL.After application of the lubricating agent, the operator removes themanifold 100. FIG. 11 also shows exemplary contours of an internaltubular delivery channel 106 of the cartridge 30 that extends throughthe insertion tube 34.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show top and bottom manifold halves 110, 112 that canbe combined into an internal manifold. FIG. 14 illustrates the internalmanifold 100 which may be formed with the top and bottom halves 110,112, though an alternative handle 114 is seen in FIG. 13A. Specifically,the handle 114 is solid, while the handle 102 is an open loop, butotherwise like parts will be given like numbers.

The top and bottom halves 110, 112 each are formed as a block-shapedmember with internal channels 120 on one face. As the reader will see,flipping the top half 110 over onto the bottom half 112 registers therespective internal channels and forms the structure of FIG. 14. Eachinternal channel 120 commences at the inlet port 104 and diverges aroundan island 122. The separated channels 120 pass side openings 124 andthen converge at an end opening 126. One island 122 has a non-circularpin 130 and the other has a non-circular recess 132 to ensure the halves110, 112 align and cannot rotate with one another.

FIG. 14 shows the assembled manifold 100 and schematically illustratesthe path of lubricating agent therethrough having been injected from anapplicator 26. Note that no thin cannula is required as the internalchannel 120 directs the single input to the sides and end, correspondingto the longitudinal grooves 70 of the load chamber 33 as well as thedelivery channel 106. In this respect the internal manifold 100 providesgreater control of the lubricating agent flow than the external manifold24 described above.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate two halves 140, 142 of an alternativemanifold 144 of the present invention, assembled with a T-handle 146 inFIG. 16. In this version, the internal channels 120 are only provided onone half, in this case the bottom half 140.

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated ofcarrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process ofmaking and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as toenable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make anduse this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from that described abovewhich are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention tolimit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover modifications and alternateconstructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention asgenerally expressed by the following claims, which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing an intraocular lens (IOL)injector for receiving an IOL, comprising: providing an IOL injectordefining an insertion tube open to a load chamber for receiving an IOL;providing a fluid manifold formed to mate with the injector and havingonly one inlet port, and at least two separate internal channels whereineach channel leads to the load chamber, wherein the only one inlet portis in direct fluid communication with the two internal channels; matingthe fluid manifold with the injector; and injecting a lubricating agentinto the inlet port so that the manifold automatically guides thelubricating agent onto surfaces within the load chamber that willcontact the IOL.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the injector has ahandpiece coupled to a cartridge defining the load chamber, the methodfurther including placing the cartridge in a first position relative tothe handpiece for mating with the fluid manifold, and then moving thecartridge into a second position relative to the handpiece afterdisengaging the fluid manifold for delivering the IOL into a subject'seye.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the insertion tube is defined ona cartridge and the cartridge rotates 180° about the handpiece betweenthe first and second positions, and wherein a transfer interface of thecartridge faces away from the handpiece in the first position and theinsertion tube faces away from handpiece in the second position, thefluid manifold being formed to mate against the transfer interface ofthe cartridge in the first position.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe insertion tube is defined on a cartridge and the cartridge rotates180° about the handpiece between the first and second positions, andwherein a transfer interface of the cartridge faces away from thehandpiece in the first position and the insertion tube faces away fromhandpiece in the second position, the fluid manifold being formed toinsert into the load chamber through the transfer interface of thecartridge in the first position.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theload chamber has at least two spaced surfaces that contact the IOL. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the fluid manifold includes two inletports, wherein each inlet port leads to one of the at least two separateinternal channels, the method including injecting the lubricating agentseparately into the two inlet ports.
 7. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising injecting the lubricating agent through the one inlet port.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold remains external tothe load chamber when mating with the injector.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the fluid manifold and injector include complementarystructural features that positively engage with audible or tactilefeedback when the manifold and injector mate to indicate fullengagement.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid manifold fitswithin the load chamber when mated with the injector and includes ahandle that remains external to the injector.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the load chamber has at least two spaced surfaces that contactthe IOL, and the fluid manifold includes more than one inlet port thatcommunicates with the at least two internal channels, the methodincluding injecting the lubricating agent through the more than oneinlet port.